One of our teachers was asking me the other day about Hualien, Taiwan. And it occurred to me that I’ve been to this beautiful seaside city many times, but I’ve never written about it despite the fact that it’s one of my favorite cities in Taiwan.

John and I always welcome an excuse to drive there, especially because it involves navigating one of Taiwan’s most scenic drives – Taiwan’s East Coast Highway!

Hualien Travel Guide

Hualien City is a charming little city on Taiwan’s eastern coastline. It’s set deep in Taiwan’s aboriginal heartland, with a rugged mountain range at its back door and the Pacific Ocean right outside its front door. It’s no wonder that Hualien is often called the prettiest city by the sea.

Hualien is probably best known for being the entrance to Taroko National Park, but the city is also home to the biggest port and airport in Eastern Taiwan. Hualien is Eastern Taiwan’s industrial and cultural center; it’s also Taiwan’s largest supplier of marble.

Despite its 200,000+ plus residents, Hualien City is a beautiful laid back city that just begs visitors to slow down a bit and enjoy things in life. Having access to Taroko National Park and the beautiful beaches north of the city are a real temptation, but I admit that the earthquake activity in this area does scare me just a teensy bit! Typhoons are also frequent guests of this city.

If you’re journeying to Taroko Gorge, but you’re based in Hualien (as many travelers to the Gorge are wont to do), please take the time to explore this beautiful city. There are loads of things to see and do. Here are some great reasons to visit or live in Hualien City.

People come to Hualien to enjoy being closer to nature. Being a seaside city, the air quality in Hualien is much better than what you’ll find in some of Taiwan’s larger cities. If you’re staying in the city, rent a bicycle to get around and enjoy the fact that you won’t have to fight for every inch of space on the road. There are all sorts of streets and riding trails to explore; you can even ride your bicycle to the public beach! And don’t forget that the hiking trails of Taroko Gorge are just a short distance away!

If you’re a beach lover or a surfing aficionado, Hualien is a great place to ride the waves. Many surfers enjoy the beaches in and around Hualien City as well as a number of other beaches along the east coast of Taiwan.

Hualien is unique because of its rich aboriginal culture. The city is home to a number of aboriginal tribes, including the Ami, which is the biggest and most influential tribe in the area.

Things to See and Do in Hualien, Taiwan

Hualien Markets

There are several day markets located throughout the city where you can buy fresh produce, meat, household appliances, and articles of clothing. It’s quite common in Taiwan to see meat vendors selling meat that isn’t chilled. Rest assured that the meat on offer has been killed that day, but make sure you get there early to get the best cuts and to ensure freshness.

Hualien has two night markets. Head to Ziqiang Night Market if you’re looking for a cheap and delicious snack (or five!) to fill your belly. This market is known for its food.

If it’s entertainment and games that you’re looking for, head to Nanbin Night Market. Since it’s located near the ocean, this is the perfect place to go to if you want to enjoy a nice stroll in the evening.

Hualien Temples

Like every city and town in Taiwan, Hualien is jam packed with stunning shrines and temples. There are Tao and Buddhist temples to be found all over the city, so you’re bound to see something interesting if you visit one. Furthermore, since East Coast residents are very religious because of their close proximity to the sea, it’s likely that you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of locals offering prayers to their local gods.

Hualien’s Martyrs’ Shrine offers a breathtaking view of the city and it surroundings from one of the most prominent spots in Hualien. It’s also home to Karenkō Shrine, a famous Japanese shrine that was built on the same spot in 1915 during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan. It was turned into a neo-Chinese style temple complex during the 1980s by the KMT, who built it to honor the nationalist heroes that died during World War II.

Sheng An and Cihui Temples are traditional Taoist temples that are often quite busy with worshippers and bizarre religious rituals filled with smoke and noise. Worshippers at these temples worship the Queen Mother of the West at Shengan Temple, and the Queen Mother of the West from Heaven Lake (Yoaci Jinmu) at Cihui Temple.

Food in Hualien

Simply put, eating out in Hualien is a pure pleasure. There are all sorts of treats to try and you won’t break your bankbook eating out.

Hualien is famous for three dishes: tiramisu (yep, the Italian one!), wontons and wonton soups, and muaji, a glutinous Japanese rice cake. For truly great wonton soup, check out Dai’s Dumpling House at No.120 Chong Hua Road. Fragrant Wonton (Yishang Bienshi) at 42 Sinyi Street also offers tasty wonton soup as well.

There are loads of hot pot and bbq restaurants scattered throughout the city as well.

Ziqiang Night Market if you’re looking for cheap and delicious snacks. Plus if this is your first time to Taiwan, you simply must experience a Taiwanese night market. It’s a part of local culture that you won’t want to miss. Ziqiang is a relatively small night market, but the food is excellent.

Check out the first BBQ stall for grilled meat skewers. Simply take a basket, fill it up with goodies, and hand it over to the grill master. You’ll be given a number for your food, just make sure you visit this food stand first as it can take up to an hour to get your food. Don’t worry, though. This gives you plenty of time to shop the other carts in the night market.

I also recommend the Chiang Family Coffin Bread cart, which offers thick toast that has been stuffed with a tasty filling.

Visit An’s Creative Sausage and Exquisite Oden for some sausage-y creations that you’ll just love. Careful though, those sausages are hot.

Cool down with a shaved ice treat at Yang Zi Ying’s Dessert Stall. Just look for the photos of the bowls of shaved ice.

Hualien Port

Bound by the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Central Mountain Range to the webt, Hualien’s man-made harbor is enclosed with protective breakwaters, and it’s always a fun to visit.

The port has been a call for international shipping since 1962; it operates with 25 wharves, six warehouses and 38 container yards. There’s always something happening there. Watch the boats move in and out or chat with some of the local fisherman.

Hualien Airport/Public Beach

The airport and military base are one and the same, so while they don’t actually allow visitors on the base, you can head to the public beach behind the base to watch the F-16 fighter jets taking off, whizzing around, and landing.

The beach itself is a gorgeous stretch of land covered in smooth rocks and stones.

There isn’t much sand to speak off, but it’s a great place to go and people-watch or collect rocks. Swimming here isn’t recommended as there is a strong undertow in the area, but it’s a nice place to get your feet wet and have some fun in the sun.

Pine Garden

Pine Garden overlooks Hualien City and the estuary of MeiLun River. The military structure and century-old pine woods were built in the Japanese colonial period (1843-1944), with over 200 pine trees that have been planted in the area to offer shade.

Today, visitors go there for afternoon tea and stunning views of the Meilun River. Pine Garden is open from 9am to 10pm, Monday through Saturday. Admission is free.

Stone Sculpture Delights

Hualien is also known as the town of stones because of its wide variety of rich mineral stones that can be found in and around the area. There are lots of sculptors living in Hualien, and you can see their artistic efforts in the gorgeous stone sculptures and shops that are found all over the city. Visit the Stone Sculpture Museum for more artwork. It’s the first Stone Sculpture Museums in Southeast Asia.

Outside Hualien City

A must-see destination for every traveler that comes to Taiwan, Taroko Gorge is one of Taiwan’s jewels. Carved into existence by the Liwu River, the gorge is full of natural wonders, remote temples, gorgeous red bridges and plenty of walking trails and suspension bridges. Taroko Gorge was once considered to be the 8th most beautiful attraction during the Japanese colonization period.

Chishingtang Beach

Just ten minutes outside of Hualien, you’ll find this long, quiet beach offers perfect views of the sea and the mountains. The beach is covered with black stones and pebbles. If you’re feeling adventuresome, try riding your bike there from Nanbin Park on the Coastal Bike Trail.

Whale Watching

The sea around Hualien is a pathway for families of whales and dolphins, and it is one of the best places in Taiwan to see them.

Mount Meilun Hualien Golf Club

This beautiful green wooded area is peaceful and relaxing. You can’t beat playing a round of golf at this gorgeous golf club. It’s so quiet, you’d never know there were roads and cars nearby!

Jici Beach

If you’re a water lover, head to Jici’s black sand beach. Nestled in a crescent shaped bay that is backdropped by a stunning, green mountain range, Jici is definitely one of the most beautiful places along the East Coast Highway to swim and surf. The journey takes about 30 minutes from Hualien City.

Qingshui Cliffs (Cingshuei)

I guarantee you’ve never seen scenery like this before. Qingshui Cliffs is one of the most famous scenic spots in Taiwan, and for good reason. Where else can you find sheer rock cliffs that plunge straight down into the cold Pacific Ocean? You’ll find them on highway nine, about 25 north of Hualien City. They’re impossible to miss. Bring your camera!

Sleeping in Hualien

Hualien has many differently priced hotels, hostels and B&B. You are sure to find something to suit your budget. Travel Tip: You can easily find a number of cheap hostels and guest houses near the train station.

These are a few of our favorite places to stay in Hualien.

Farglory Hotel: A conveniently located hotel in Hualien, this stunning hotel is a haven of rest and relaxation with stunning views of the sea and mountain range. Farglory Hotel offers total renewal and it’s just moments away from the city’s numerous attractions such as East Rift Valley National Scenic Area, East Coast National Scenic Area, and Hualien Ocean Park.

King 13 B&B: This is a great option for budget travelers. We’ve stayed at King 13 B&B, and we’ve always been pleased with the service and food. The rooms are beautiful, uniquely decorated and extremely comfortable and clean. King 13 B&B is also conveniently located within the city, with plenty of options for food nearby.

Getting Around Hualien

By Bicycle: The best way to see the city, in our opinion, is by bike. Bicycles can be rented from a good number of hotels in Hualien. There is also a Giant bike shop in front of the train station that offers bike rentals for as little as NT$100 per day during the off-season.

By Bus: There are a lot of buses and bus companies in Hualien, which means that it can be confusing to get around if you don’t speak any Chinese. Take your guide book with you and ask for additional information from the good folks who run the visitor center outside of the train station.

Buses run between the airport and the downtown bus station every 20 minutes. Tickets are NT$25.

The Hualien Bus Company serves Taroko Gorge, Taidong and Lishan. There are two bus stations. You can find one right in front of the train station. The other is at the downtown bus terminal.

If you’re going to Taroko National Park Visitor Center, you can catch a bus every half hour. Buses run from 5:30am to 9:30pm. It’s NT$75 for one hour.

If you’re heading to Tiansiang in Taroko Gorge, there are seven buses a day. The first one leaves at 6:30am. The journey takes approximately an hour and a half. Tickets are NT$145.

If you’re on your way to Lishan, make sure to grab the 9:30am bus, as it’s the only one. The journey takes five hours. Tickets are NT$360.

If you’re planning to visit Taitung, there are five buses per day. The journey takes four hours, with buses leaving at 5:10am, 7:10am, 9:10am, 12:10am, and 4:10am. Tickets are NT$450. Bear in mind that you can get there faster and have a more pleasant journey if you take the train

By scooter: If you bring your passport and international driver’s license, you can easily rent a scooter near the train station for around NT$350-NT$450 per day. If you plan on driving along Highway 11 or heading into Taroko Gorge, makes sure you get a 100cc scooter.

This is my list of top travel adventures in Taiwan. My Taiwan Travel Bucket List I’ve hot linked the places that I’ve already been to and written about. If the activity is in italics, it means I’ve been there, but I haven’t written about it yet. Enjoy! Taipei Adventures – In and Around Taipei Taipei 101 Shilin Night Market Snake Alley The Grand Hotel Beitou Hot Springs Yangmingshan Hot Springs Visit the calla lily farms on Yangmingshan during the calla lily flower Continue Reading →

One of our teachers was asking me the other day about Hualien, Taiwan. And it occurred to me that I’ve been to this beautiful seaside city many times, but I’ve never written about it despite the fact that it’s one of my favorite cities in Taiwan. John and I always welcome an excuse to drive there, especially because it involves navigating one of Taiwan’s most scenic drives – Taiwan’s East Coast Highway! Hualien Travel Guide Hualien City is a charming little city Continue Reading →